Pets

On a typical warm sunny day, you may find yourself driving your car with the windows down while your dog is peering out the window – wind blowing in his face. This may appear to be harmless however, it is not safe practice.

While we all love to see the shiny nose of a dog sticking out of a car window, the reality is that your pet's eyes could be injured by debris and other dirt in the air. Moreover, a passing squirrel or another dog or cat could prompt your pet to jump out of the window – a serious and often fatal mistake.

Summertime means vacation and road trips with friends and family. Taking your pet along for the ride could make vacation memories all the more special. Here are some tips on traveling with your pet that will help get your vacation off to a great start.

Please follow these guidelines to protect your companion animal when the mercury rises.

*Overheating can kill an animal. Never leave an animal alone in a vehicle, since even with the windows open, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace. Parking in shade offers only very short term protection, as the sun shifts during the day. When traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled with fresh, cold water.

*Don't force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather. Always exercise him in the early morning or in the evening.

*In extremely hot weather, don't leave you dog standing on the street, and keep walks to a minimum. He is much closer than you to the hot asphalt, and his body can heat up quickly. His paws can also burn, since they are not protected by shoes.

“She has the characteristics of a student who will be successful in graduate school and in the field,” Bendersky said. “She’s an exceptional student who embodies the concept of learning outside the classroom.”

That focused interest will take Martinez to a psychology conference in Canada as an undergraduate scholar among an elite worldwide fraternity of psychologists specializing in child development.

The Society for Research in Child Development tapped Marinez to participate in its March conference and its program that pairs minority undergraduate students with both a graduate student and senior scholar mentor for six years.